Story from the Field

Name of Health Department/Agency:

Sharonville City Health Department

State:

OH

Date Added:

03/23/2010

Themes:

Community Mitigation

Issue Summary:

Mass Segregation at International Camp

Description of Issue(s):

In July of last year (2009) our department had to help institute voluntary segregation procedures at a camp of international children, once one became confirmed for H1N1 and several other campers and staff displayed ILI.

There were over 70 campers and staff at this residential camp from 15 different countries, due to this unique fact, we could not just send them home. With the help of camp staff and other local health departments, we assisted the camp staff in segregating the ill people until they no longer displayed symptoms and could return to the “well side” of the camp. As far as I know this was the first (if not only) case of mass segregation in Ohio during the H1N1 response.

Actions taken to address the issue(s):

Segregation Procedures were developed for the camp organizers, with monitoring of all children and staff at the camp (Temperatures were taken twice a day for everyone). All CDC guidelines were followed in regards to releasing the individuals with ILI back with the well side of the camp.

We had concerns that many of the individuals would be quarantined upon return to their country of origin. Obtained letters from us (LHD) and camp physician giving the campers a "clean bill of health" for presentation to health officials at home.

Outcomes that resulted from actions taken:

All campers and staff were permitted entry back into their home countries without incident.

A day or so after segregation was instituted no new cases of ILI were seen on the well side of the camp.

We learned the importance of prior planning and having the discipline to follow the plans. Although prior planning for an incident such as this did not occur, our Panflu plan provided us the framework to achieve a good outcome.